Westlake Gives Its Awe, but Crenshaw Rolls : Thousand Oaks tournament: Cougars advance to championship game tonight against the hosts.

The Crenshaw High-light show continued Thursday night.

In a Thousand Oaks tournament first-round game Wednesday, the defending state champion Cougars came, they saw, they shattered a backboard. Center Leon Watson’s glass-breaking rebound dunk against Faith Baptist in the second quarter at Thousand Oaks High forced the game to be called. Thursday’s semifinals were moved to Newbury Park High.

The Cougars’ 111-65 semifinal victory over Westlake wasn’t as jarring, but was equally impressive. This game technically didn’t end early, but for all intents and purposes was out of the Warriors’ reach in the first quarter. The Crenshaw starters enjoyed a fourth-quarter rest.

The Cougars’ running, dunking and winning figure to continue in the final at 8 tonight against Thousand Oaks, which defeated Washington, 55-53, in the other semifinal.

“If there’s a better high school team (than Crenshaw) in the country, I’d like to see it,” Westlake’s Kevin Crook said. “I just can’t believe there is.”

Warrior players appeared similarly awed--and more than a little intimidated--to be playing the team ranked second in the nation by USA Today. Crenshaw, also ranked first in the state by Cal-Hi sports, has three starters who have signed with NCAA Division I schools.

Forward Tremaine Fowlkes, bound for California, led the Cougars (4-0) with 27 points, including two on a double-clutch dunk after a spin move in the key.

“That was an NBA move,” Westlake’s Billy Miller said.

The slam made the score 80-42 midway through the third quarter, in which Crenshaw outscored Westlake, 37-15.

Cougar forward Kristaan Johnson, who has signed with UCLA, scored 13 of his 24 points in the quarter. Reggie McFerren finished with 22.

The Westlake highlights were more of the scrappy, moral-victory variety, such as their mini-rally to pull within 12-10 in the first quarter.

Crook led the Warriors with 17 points, including five three-point baskets, and guard Steve Aylsworth added 15.

Crenshaw’s Watson, who sustained a deep cut on his shoulder when he was hit by the dislodged rim after his backboard-breaking dunk, underwent minor surgery early Thursday morning at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.

The 6-foot-8 senior suffered no nerve, ligament or muscle damage from the laceration. He watched Thursday’s game from the bench and is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.

*

Thousand Oaks 55, Washington 53--In the other semifinal, Thousand Oaks forward Mike Friel made two free throws with four seconds remaining to snap a tie and give the Lancers the victory.

“That first one was a little shaky, but he did a very nice job,” Coach Ed Chevalier said.

The Lancers (5-1) trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, but outscored the Generals, 21-9.

Jason Hartman led Thousand Oaks with 23 points and Peter Lauer added 19.

*

Faith Baptist 68, St. Monica 65--In a consolation game, Tony Hoggatts hit two free throws with two seconds remaining to carry the Contenders (4-3). Hoggatts had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Tommy Gales added 16 points.